What is an Issuing reversal?
The merchant initiated an Issuing authorization reversal in an attempt to undo or cancel the authorization.
`Reversed` is also type of status on an Issuing authorization. It means that the authorization was reversed by the merchant in most cases, or expired without capture.
Why did my Issuing authorization get reversed?
- The merchant initiated an Issuing authorization reversal
- Stripe initiated the Issuing reversal because the authorization expired without capture
Did Stripe or the merchant make this Issuing reversal?
In most cases, the merchant will have been the one to initiate the Issuing reversal.
Stripe will set the authorization’s status as `reversed` if the authorization has expired without capture.
If the merchant did not capture the authorization in the time allocated (usually up to 7 days for most merchant categories; can be up to 31 days for merchant categories such as for hotels, motels, resorts, lodging, etc.) then Stripe will automatically set the authorization’s status as `reversed` and return the funds back to your Issuing balance if the authorization has expired without capture.
If the authorization request is voided or not captured in a timely manner, an `issuing_authorization.updated` webhook event is sent and its status is set to `reversed`.
For authorizations not captured in a timely manner, amount represents any remaining amount authorized for possible late captures.
Is it possible for Stripe to reverse/cancel a pending authorization before the allotted capture time?
Stripe is unable to cancel pending authorizations that have yet to be captured. The cardholder should reach out to the merchant directly to enquire further about why funds have not been captured, or to request a merchant-initiated reversal.
Once the allotted time has passed (7 days for the majority of merchants and 31 days for hotels, airlines, cruise lines and car rental companies) the authorization will expire and funds will be released back to the Issuing balance. In rare cases, however, the merchant may capture funds after the release of the hold.
How can I prevent an Issuing authorization from being reversed?
In most cases, the merchant will have been the one to initiate the Issuing reversal. You should reach out to the merchant to better understand why they decided to do so. We at Stripe cannot do anything to prevent the merchant-initiated reversal from happening.
The merchant does not share the information behind why they decided to initiate the reversal with Stripe.
If Stripe initiated the reversal, it is because the authorization had expired without capture. There are no solutions in stopping this from happening.